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Rising Waters
Holy God of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air— In the face of devastating realities of floodwaters Read More
EMILY M. AKIN | Read Matthew 14:13-21
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Sign Up TodayJesus hosts the multitudes, feeding people’s spiritual and physical hungers. While Jesus’ blessing and breaking works an amazing miracle in a tight spot, the disciples play an important part. Jesus does not lay out a grand plan before them. They simply follow Jesus’ direction without question. They gather food and...
“Mine are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.” (Paraphrase of a prayer of Teresa of Avila)
The heavyhearted psalmist gives voice to the feelings of many when he states, “Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry.” In the Genesis text Jacob wrestles with a “man.” At one level, this story is about human struggle with God, but at another level the story tells of a human being’s struggle with himself or herself. Yet even in the midst of our struggles, the enduring word is one of God’s grace. Romans 9 also deals with suffering: Paul’s personal anguish over Israel’s failure to receive God’s messiah, the Christ. Matthew 14 reminds us that God’s mercy is real. Obedient disciples become agents through whom God’s provisions are served to hungry people.
• Read Genesis 32:22-31. When have you felt like you were wrestling with God? What impact did it have on your relationship with God?
• Read Psalm 17:1-7, 15. In what ways does your faith give you strength in the face of adversity? Reflect on a difficult time when you felt God’s presence.
• Read Romans 9:1-5. How do the words of Peter in Acts and Paul’s words in Romans shape your understanding of the Jewish faith?
• Read Matthew 14:13-21. How hungry are you for Jesus? Are you willing to nibble and snack, or are you starving for substance and sustenance?
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"Patience requires us to slow down, pay attention, and see God in the midst of our frustration. When you get impatient, ask God what God would like you to see in that moment." Read More . . .
